DEAD OR ALIVE WE ARE WITH CHRIST. Too often our focus is on our being with Him after life or when we are dead. That of course, is precious for we know that we shall be in His presence, eternally. But what about the now? Paul is delivering a thought which is much more involving than that. For He places the same mighty presence of the Lord as being with us, whether we WAKE or sleep. 1 Thess. 5:10 Our acquaintance and fellowship with Him NOW should be just as great as that which is after death. That kind of a companionship is far more needful for us now than after death. It is in facing the difficulties and problems of our life that we need His presence and guidance.
HOW GREAT, HOW INTENSE IS HIS LIFE IN US? A powerful, yet simple statement. If Christ be in you, the body is dead. Not physically dead but dead unto the beggarly elements of the sin of this world. A spiritual condition where the appeals of the fleshly man are of no avail. There is nothing responding to the temptations of sin. If there is one sin which has been overcome and no longer has any appeal whatsoever, that then, can be true of all the works of the flesh. It is highly possible to be completely delivered from, and dead to all sin. This is the perfect will of the Lord for His church. We have been given the gift of God, which is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 6:23 We are not to be looking forward to something to come, we are to accept that which is already here and has been given unto us. God HATH given to us eternal life, and THIS life is in His Son. 1 John 5:11 Present tense, that life is ours and this life that we now live, is life in His Son. How destitute the church is, when so much has been promised and is available to us. Here is an either, or. If we have the Son we have life. If we do not possess the Son we do not have life. There is no in between place whatsoever. 1 John 5:12.
I AM CRUCIFIED. Well, known words spoken by the Apostle Paul concerning the life that he had found in the Lord Jesus. I am with Christ, not only in His life and all the benefits and good things. But I know the agony of the cross, I have died to the world, the flesh and to sin. Not a physical death, but one which means separation from the human nature that was been born in sin, and sharpened in iniquity. He plainly stated that Christ levity in me. It is inharmonious with the teachings of the Word of the Lord for Christ to occupy a vessel or a place which is unclean. Gal. 2:20 Surely the call of the Lord is to be heard in these words. be ye holy. As your Lord is holy, show by example the same nature. Be what He is. He is pure, morally blameless, consecrated. 1 Peter 1:15 Be holy in conduct. Be pure in thought and deed. Let the words of our mouths be satisfying unto the Lord. Be holy for the one who has saved us and called us is very holiness personified. He is the essence of all that is right and just and desires that we become what He is. 1 Peter 1:16 There is nothing but gain for those who follow His pattern of life.